373rd ISRG knocks out triennial inspections

  • Published
  • By Airman Kenna Jackson
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 373rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group successfully completed three simultaneous inspections at the Misawa Security Operation Centers and Tri-Service building here, Sept. 23.

Failure of these inspections is not an option for the 373 ISRG mainly because success shows how well the units and individuals are at following the regulations set to govern all of the programs that are overseen.

"In turn, the bar is set high for other units to follow our lead." said Staff Sgt. LaTasha Richardson, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency 373rd ISRG, Misawa Security Operations Center.

The 373 ISRG had been prepping since February for the Joint, United States Air Force Unit Compliance Inspection, and Navy inspections, which happen every three years, since February.

It is very common for these concurrent inspections to be executed for continuity purposes, but, that does not mean that each inspection is the same. Though the 373 ISRG works in a joint environment, each service has its own individual program responsibility. The only difference between the three inspections is the service component being inspected and the inspectors overseeing the inspection.

With help from the 373rd Plans Office, who handled all of the briefings and ensured findings from the 2008 inspections were not repeated this year, the 373 ISRG used checklists, staff assistant visits, self-inspections and bi-weekly briefings for updates, to guarantee this year's inspections would go off without a hitch.

The Naval inspectors use the "pass/fail" scale, while the joint and Air Force inspectors use the "compliant", "non-compliant", and "complies" with comments scale.

To pass each of the three inspections each program must receive at least 85 percent, or a "compliant". When a program manager fails to adhere to the regulated standards of service, the rating is less than 15 percent, or a "non-compliant".

With guidance from the 35th Fighter Wing Inspector General and using a checklist and/or program instructions to inspect each individual program, the AFISRA inspected the joint and USAF UCI. The Navy completed the naval portion of the inspection.

The USAF UCI was awarded with a perfect rating of "compliance", and the Navy inspection was awarded a "pass" with only 10 findings.

For receiving such great ratings from the inspectors, the commander rewarded all MSOC with a relaxation party Sept. 23.

"Everyone did well together to ensure a successful inspection." said Richardson.